9 May 2012

Your invitation to attend NZFFA Trees on Farms field days
Inglewood 6 June
Ohope 20 June
Putaruru 29 June

Free “Trees on Farms” workshops are being held in Taranaki, the Bay of Plenty and Waikato in June as part of an SFF-funded initiative encouraging farmers and landowners to plant trees as part of wise land use strategies.

The aim of the workshops is to help farmers and landowners identify how planting the right trees in the right place can significantly boost farm profitability and enhance wise land use. These workshops draw on the expertise and practical experience of knowledgeable local farm foresters, farm advisers and consultants, regional councils and a range of other professionals, and each is customised to reflect local opportunities and issues.

The day-long workshops include a unique combination of presentations, practical, hands-on discussions in the field and short video clips of successful farm foresters in each area.

Morning presentation topics include the economic impacts of integrating trees into the farm business, as well as case studies and panel discussions on a range of practical topics, including trees as a long term land management strategy, planting for erosion control, riparian management and water quality, weed control, and protecting valuable soils, trees for animal feed and shelter, specialty timber species, use of indigenous species and more.

The afternoon gets out in the field, looking at tree planting on a local farm that has been chosen to demonstrate best practice in planting trees to address specific problems or opportunities.

The McIntyres’ 390ha property at Kaimata, Inglewood runs just under 700 dairy cows, but also includes over 70ha in forest. After planting pine in the gullies and steeper faces, their emphasis has shifted to the riparian planting that will be the focus of the day.

The Ohope, Bay of Plenty, workshop is particularly designed for Maori landowners, and will feature Ngati Awa farm, looking at trees as an inter-generational land management tool providing sustainable agribusiness solutions and enhancing long term land use.

The Waikato workshop on 29 June will feature the Ballance Farm Environment Award winning dairy farm of Gray and Marilyn Baldwin, which features riparian, gully and woodlot plantings, as well as smart use of shelter belts.

As well as receiving written information and hard copies of the presentations, all attendees will receive a DVD that contains electronic copies of the presentations, the video interviews with local farm foresters, and handbooks outlining best practice for growing and managing the most popular timber species.

For more information and to register contact:

6 June: Inglewood
9.30 am, Kaimata Hall, 722 Tarata Road, Inglewood
Email: ahuroa@farmside.co.nz

20 June: Bay of Plenty
9.30 am start, Ohope
Email i.nicholas@clear.net.nz

29th June: Waikato
For more information and to register email John.Simmons@waikatoregion.govt.nz

ENDS

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